Insect electrocutor



Patented May 17, 1932 UNITED STATES WILLIAM M. FROST', 0F SPOKAKNE, WASHINGTON INSECT ELECTROCUTOR Application mea November 1, 192s. serial No. 316,555.

My invention relates 4to insect electrocutor's of the general type of construction in which electric conductor elements adapted to serve as Contact elements and commonly termed electrodes are positioned in spaced relation to form a' grid-like electrocuting screen or barrier. As in other devices of this kind the conductor elements of my lpresent invention are designed to be supplied with current of opposite polarity to form alternating positive and negative electrodes suitably insulated from each other. rEhe conductor elements of opposite polarity are so arranged that a normally open circuit is completed through them by the body of an insect comin into contact with orclose to any part of eit 1er electrode.

Insect electrocutors of this general character have been made of thin wires, rods or bars arranged usually in substantially parallel relation. To be elfective such conductor elements must be placed sufficiently close together to prohibit the passage of insects with* out bridging the' gap between adjacent conductors of opposite polarity and thus becoming electrocuted. This necessitates the use of a relatively large number of conductors or a correspondingly large number of return loops or'bends of continuous conductors per unit of surface, and requires that great care be observed in maintaining the conductors rigidly in spaced para'llel relation.

One of the principal objects of my invention is the provision of an insect-electrocuting screen or barrier formed of a small num- -ber of parts and comprisingconduc-tor elements of such character and configuration as may be easily and economically manufactured and readily and quickly assembled. VThe rej sulting device, while productive of results as y 4o eective and satisfactory as any other devices l of the same general character, is considerably casier to manufacture, and lends itself more readily to quantity production.v

Another object of my invention is the provision of conductor elements formed as units capable of ready installation and replacement, each unit possessing suflicient rigidity to maintain its initialposi-tion without sagging or disalignment. y

-A further Objectis the production of an electrocuting screen or barrier in which the conductor elements are assembled and maintained in position in a screen or other form of insect electrocuting device without the necessity of special conductor holding or tensioning means, and in which each conductor unitextends over an unusually large area.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following specication and drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is a front elevational' view of an insectelectrocuting screen constructed in accordance with my invention,

Figure 2 is a similar View, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of one of the conductor elements shown in Fig. 1, and its mounting means,

Figure 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 of a 70- slight'modilication of the conductor element shown in Fig. 2,

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional View taken on line 4 4. of Fig. 2,

Figure -5 is a front elevational view of a 75 screen embodying a modified form and arrangement of conductor elements,

Figure 6 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the modified form .of conductor element shown in Fig. 5,

. Figures 7 and 8 are views similar to Fig. 4 of other modified forms of conductor elements, and

Figure 9 is a perspective viewof an insect electrocut-or of the cage type embodying my present invention. o

As will be apparent from the drawings, my invention may be embodied inA insect-electrocuting screens or barriers of Vdifferent forms, capable of being used vin various locations and surroundings, and for specifically different purposes. For example, my novel construction of conductor elements may be supported' in a frame suitable for usein Window-openings or doorways, thus forming an electrocuting door 0r Window screen. Constructions of this type are illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5.

Conductor elements of the same character may be incorporated into a ycage-like screen 10o ff of insect-electrocuting fences or barriers is particularly noteworthy.

The conductor elements, while requiring some means of support in order to maintain them in operative relation to each other, are not restricted in their usefulness to any particular kindjor shape of support.

When incorporated in a screen for doors or windows, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, the conductor elements are supported upon an open frame A. This frame may be of any desired shape and size and may be constructed of wood, metal, composition, or any other suitable material or materials. It is preferably made of woodand formed ofends 1, 2 and sides 3, 4, nailed or otherwise suitably secured thereto.

In the form of construction shown in Fig. 1, oppositely disposed portions of the frame, for example, sides 3 and 4, have fixedly secured to them a series of spaced insulating blocks 5. While the blocks may be inlaid in the faces of the sides 3 and 4, they. are preferably secured thereto by screws or other suit able attaching means. The blocks 5 at one side of the frame are preferably directly opposite the blocks at the other side. Each pair of oppositely disposed blocks forms a mountin# for one of the conductor elements.

ach of these conductor elements or electrodes comprises an elongated rigid body member in the form of a rod, bar, strip, tube or other suitable shape, preferably straight throughout its length, and provided with a plurality of spaced arms -or branches projecting laterally therefrom throughout its length.

These arms or branches preferably extend in opposite directions from the opposite longitudinal edges of the elongated body of the conductor element. They may be formed only along one edge, however, conductor elements of this kind being useful in certain locations, as, for example, at the ends of screens such as those illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, in which a plurality of conductor elements with double rows of arms are arranged.

The conductor elements or electrodes may be made with integral arms or branches, by stamping, as in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, or in any other suitable manner. Or the body and arms.

may be formed separately, as in Figs. G, 7 and 8, and then assembled and securedl by riveting or soldering or by passing the arms through apertures in the body.

In the preferredV form of the invention each of the conductor elements comprises a strip of metal forming a body portion 7, with a row of arms 8 arranged in spaced parallel relation and extending laterally from one edge of the body at right angles thereto, and

a similar row of arms 9 extending in the ope bent or twisted to turn the arm about its y own median line as an axis, so that each arm, while lying at right angles to and in the gen-eral plane of the body, has its axial plane arranged at an acute angleto the plane of the body 7. This twisting of the arms 8 and 9, while not absolutely assential to the proper functioning and eiiicient operation of the device, is preferable because of certain advantages arising therefrom, such as the admission of a greater amount of light through the screen. than could otherwise pass through, and the promotion of a draft through the screen and the vconsequent attraction or suction of insects thereto.

The body 7 is preferably curved or dished, as shown in Fig..4, to increase the strength and rigidity of the conductor element and to provide it with a curved outer surface which will cause insects striking thereon to be deflected inwardly into the path of the electrocutor arms 8 and 9.

The arms 8 and 9 may be in alignment, as in Fig. 2, or may be staggered, as in Fig. 3.

As in other devices of this general character it is essential that the conductor elements be positioned suiliciently close together to prevent the passage of insects through the screen or between adjacent conductor elements without being electrocuted. To this end a plurality of conductor elements of the construction hereinbvefore described are posi tioned in parallel relation across the opening of the frame A with the arms 8 of one element staggered with respect to the arms 9 of the adjacent element. For best results the arms 8 and'9 should overlap each other for the greater part of their length and each arm should be equidistant, or substantially equidistant, from adjacent arms. At each end of the screen a conductor element of similar form, but with but a single row of arms, is placed, the arms of each of these end elements projecting between the arms on one side of one of the other conductor elements.

Each of the series of conductor elements thus positioned is supported in theframe by beingattached at each end by a screw 11 or other convenient means to one of the insulating blocks 5. Alternate conductor elements are su .plied with current of opposite polarity by eirg connected respectively to wires 12 and 13, which may be connected, through a transformer 14, to the usual house lighting circuit.

ment, however, is supported by being at` tached at one end to an insulating block and at the other endto a conducting stripv which extends along the side of the frame. These conducting strips 22 and 23 take the place of the conducting wires shown in Fig. 1. Alternate conductor elements of the series are electrically 7connected to strip 22, and the remainder to strip 23. Strips 22 and 23, and the conductor elements respectively connected to them are supplied with current of opposite polarity from any suitable source,

,` such current being obtainable, through a transformer 24, from an ordinarylighting circuit.

The conductor elements illustrated in Fig. 5 are similar in arrangement and function to those shown in Fig. 1, but are somewhat differently constructed. In this modified form of element, the body 17, like body 7 of the Fig. 1 form, is given a curved form,

preferably concavo-convex. The arms 18,v

19, which correspond to arms 8, 9 of the ,Eig. 1 form, are made integral with each other, being produced by ,a series of rigid wires passed through apertures 2O in the body 17 and extending equidistantly beyond the body on each side. This construction is shown in detail inFig. 6 and with a body 17 of slightly different curvature in Fig. 8. By

` making the body 17 of sheet metal and inserting the wires 18-19 through the body while it is held in bent condition, the wires will be retained tightly in the apertures 20 by the -slight outward spreading of the body when it is released from pressure. Or, if considered necessary or desirable, the wires may be soldered or otherwise secured in their proper positions in apertures 20.

A conductor element similar to that shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 8 is`illustrated in Fig. 7, the only difference between the two being that, in the Fig. 7 form, the wires 28-29 are passed through and suitably secured in apertures in a tubular body 27.

Figure 9 shows one specific manner of embodiment of my invention in an insect elecf,

trocutor of the trapor cage type. The trap, shown inthe form of a truste-pyramid, comprises four corner posts 40 of metal eleotrically connected by a metal base 41 and a metal top 50. Each corner post has secured td it a plurality of rigid wires, rods or bars 42, 43 which project laterally from it in spaced arallel relation along its opposite longitu inal edges. Between each pair of adjacent corner posts, one or more conductor elements of a construction similar to any one of the elements illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 may be introduced, in the same general manner of arrangement and support as is disclosed in Fig. 1. For purposes of i1- lustration Fig. 9 shows but one of these conductor elements 44 between each pair of corner posts.y Each of these elements 44 comprises a rod, bar or tube with rigid arms formed of wires, rods, tubes or bars 4.5, 46-

projecting laterally therefrom in spaced parallel relation along its oppositelongitudinal edges. The arms 45 project between the series of arms 43 attached to one corner post 40 and are spaced from the arms 43 and the corner post. The arms 46 project in like manner between the series of arms 42 on the corner post on the other side of conductor element 44.

The conductor elements 44 are insulated from the metal base 41 and top y50 by insulating blocks 47. By any suitable wiring connections (not shown) the elements 44 and their attached arms 45, 46 are supplied with current of one polarity, while current of opposite polarity is supplied to the corner posts 40 and their attached arms 42, "43. The current may be obtained, through a transformer 48, from the lighting circuit which includes the lamp 49 placed within the electrocutor trap as a lure for insects.

I claim: f 1

1. In an insect electrocutor, a support, a plurality of electrical conductor bars arranged in substantially parallel spaced relation on said support, spaced parallel arms projecting laterally from each of said bars,

each of said arms being turned about its axial plane to lie at an acute angle to the plane of the bar, the arms ofadjacent bars projecting between and spaced vfrom each other, and means for supplying adjacent bars with cur rent of opposite polarities.

2. In an insect electrocutor, a frame, a plurality of electrode elements supported'on said frame in spaced parallel relation and insulated from each other, each electrode element comprising an elongated body and a series of contact arms projecting laterally from opposite longitudinal edges thereof, the arms of the electrode elements projecting between the arms of adjacent elements in :spaced ove lapping relation, and means for supplying rrent of opposite polarities to adj acent electrode elements.

3. In an insect electrocutor, a frame, a plurality of metal bar s supported on said frame in spaced parallel relation, each of said bars being curved laterally throughout its length, each bar having a series of spaced parallel arms projecting laterally therefrom, the

' tegral with and projecting laterally from said body, each arm being connected to said body by a web, and each web being bent and its attached arm disposed at an acute angle to the plane of the body.

6. In a device of the character described, a frame having sides and ends, a plurality of rigid elongated conductor elements supported on said frame in spaced parallel relation across said frame, one of said conductor elementsbeing positioned at each end of said frame and having a series of rigid contact arms projecting laterally from said element inwardly of the frame, and each of the intermediate conductor elements having a series of spaced parallel contact arms projecting laterally from opposite longitudinal edges thereof, the arms of adjacent conductor elements overlapping in spaced relation, and means for supplying adjacent conductor ele- A ments With current of opposite polarities.

7 In an insect electrocuting device, a frame having sides and ends, a conducting strip positioned at opposite sides of said frame, a series of elongated conductor elements extending in spaced parallel relation across said frame, alternate ones of said elements being electrically connected to one of said strips and insulated from the other strip, and the remaining elements being electrically connected only to said other strip, and spaced parallel contact arms projecting laterally from each of said conductor elements, said contact arms being relatively shorter than said conductor elements, the contact arms of adjacent conductor elements being arranged in overlapping-'spaced relation.

8. In an insect electrocutor, a frame having an opening, a plurality of electrode elements supported on said frame in spaced parallel relation across said opening and insulated from each other, certain of said electrodeelements being disposed respectively at opposite sides of said frame and others intermediate thereof, each of said side and intermediate electrode elements comprising an elongated body and a series of contact arms projecting laterally therefrom, the arms of the electrode elements projecting between the arms of adjacent elements in spaced overlapping relation, the electrode elements With their lateral arms 1 ing inVthe plane of the frame, and means or supplying current of opposite polarities to adjacent electrode elements. Y

9. A conductor element for an insect electrocutor comprising an elongated metal body and a series of spaced parallel contact arms lying in a single plane, said arms being integral with said body and projecting later- Y ally from opposite edges thereof.

10. In an insect electrocutor, a frame, a plurality of electrode elements supported on said frame in spaced parallel relation, each electrode element comprising an elongated metal body and a series of spaced contact arms projecting laterally therefrom, certain of said electrode elements having said contact arms projecting from opposite longitudinal edges and the remainder of said electrode elements having said contact arms projecting from one longitudinal edge, the contact arms of each of said electrode elements projecting between 'the contact arms of adjacent elem-ents in spaced overlapping relation, said electrode elements and said contact arms lying in a single plane.

11. In an insect electrocutor, oppositely disposed elongated rigid electrode elements and an intermediate elongated rigid electrode element, each of said electrode elements having a series of spaced parallel contact arms projecting laterally therefrom, the arms of adjacent electrode elements being disposed in spaced alternating relation.

12. In an insect electrocutor, oppositely disposed elongated rigid electrode. elements and an intermediate elongated rigid electrode element, said intermediate electrode element having a series of spaced parallel contact arms projecting laterally from opposite longitudinal edges thereof, and each of the other electrode elements having a series of spaced parallel contact arms projecting laterally from a longitudinal edge thereof, the arms of adjacent electrode elements being dis posed in spaced alternating relation.

13. In an insect electrocutor, a cage-like structure comprising a plurality of spaced elongated rigid electrode members, alternate ones of which are insulated from each other, each of said members having a series of spaced parallel contact arms projecting laterally from a longitudinal edge thereof and extending in spaced overlapping relation between similar contact arms of an adjacent member.

14. In an insect electrocutor, a cage-like structure comprising a plurality of inclined inwardly converging spaced elongated electrode members, each of said members having a Vseries of spaced parallel contact arms projecting laterally from a longitudinal edge thereof and extending in spaced overlapping relation between the arms of an adjacent member.

15. In an insect electrocutor, a support, a cage-like structure attachedvto said support and comprising a plurality of outwardly extending spaced elongated rigid electrode members, each having a series of spaced parport and comprising a plurality of outwardallel contact arms projecting laterally from a longitudinal edge thereof, the contact arms of each member being disposed in spaced overlapping relation between the arms of an adjacent member and in the same'inclined lane.

16. n an insect electrocutor, a support, a cage-like frame depending from said suply extending-spaced elongated rigid electrode members each having a series of spaced parallel contact arms projecting from opposite longitudinal edges thereof, said contact arms of each member bein arranged in spaced overlapping relation with similar arms of the adjacent member, said members and their contact arms being so constructed and arranged as to form a plurality of substantially iiat grid-like electrode panels each angularly disposed with respect to adjoining panels.

In an insect electrocutor, a support, a

cage-like structure attached t said support and comprising` a plurality of inclined-spaced elongated rigid electrode members, each having a plurality of spaced parallel contact arms projecting laterally from opposite, 1on1 gitudinal edges thereof, the contact arms or adjacent electrode members being disposed in spaced alternating overlapping relation.

18. In an insect electrocutor, a tapered cage-like lstructi'ire comprising a plurality of elongated rigid electrode members eac having a series of'contact arms projecting laterally from aflongitudinal edge thereof,

jsaid members and their contact arms being `so arranged as to form a gularly.; disposed panels,

plurality of flat anthe contact arms oi adjacent` nembers being disposed inspaced alternating relation.

19. In an insect electrocutor, rustopyramidal cage-like structure comprising elongated rigid electrode members at its corners, and intermediate elongated rigid electrode members disposed between said corner members, each of said electrode members having contact arms projecting laterally from c pposite longitudinal edges thereof, the contact arms 'of adjacent members being arranged in spaced alternating relation.

WILLIAM M. FROST. 

